MANILA, Philippines- Around 1.2 million devotees joined the procession of the Black Nazarene from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church on Monday, January 9, according to the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).

PHOTO CREDIT: ABS-CBN News

Devotees from all walks of life defied terror threats just to take part in one of the country’s biggest religious festivals.

According to Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Ronald Dela Rosa, ISIS-inspired terror groups in Mindanao may possibly attack during the annual event following the killing of the head of terror group Ansar Ak-Hhilafa in Sarangani on Thursday, January 5. Authorities are verifying the possible presence of members of the Maute group In Manila. About 3,000 cops and more than 400 soldiers were deployed to secure devotees.

PHOTO CREDIT: CNN

All hospitals in Metro Manila were placed under “Code Blue alert”, while medical teams were deployed by the Department of Health (DOH) along the route of Traslacion. Around 899 patients were treated by the Philippine National Red Cross as of 12:30 pm.

PHOTO CREDIT: CNN

Duterte urges Filipino Catholics to pray for PH

Meanwhile, President Rodrigo Duterte encouraged Filipino Catholics to pray for the country as they celebrate the feast of the Black Nazarene. Earlier, Duterte repeatedly attacked Catholic priests who have spoken against his war on illegal drugs in the country. Moreover, several Catholic leaders have expressed their opposition on Duterte’s plan to reimpose death penalty.

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"We are neither exhausted by praying constantly nor do we ever falter in expressing our religious fervor. Despite the passage of time, we relentlessly fight against injustice and lies; abuse of power; and the corruption that eats up the soul,” Duterte said.Unattended bag sparks bomb scare

After a social media user shared an unverified report that a bag left outside Santa Ana Church contained a homemade bomb, several devotees panicked.

Apparently, the unattended bag only contained the clothes of a devotee from Samar, who just left the bag momentarily to use the rest room.